National Council for Professional Development of Nursing and Midwifery publications and communications update November 2009

摘要

The National Council for the Professional Development ofudNursing and Midwifery (the National Council) was establishedudin 1999 (SI No 376) following the recommendations of theudCommission on Nursing. Its primary purpose is to lead andudpromote the professional development of nurses and midwivesudand in particular to develop and evaluate clinical careerudpathways for nurses and midwives. Standards and frameworksuddeveloped and implemented by the National Council ensuresudthat nursing and midwifery practice in Ireland develops in audsafe and co-ordinated manner in the interests of patient/clientudcare and in line with international best practice.udAs a result of its work there exists within the health servicesudtoday over 2,000 Clinical Nurse Specialist/ Clinical MidwifeudSpecialist and 120 Advanced Nurse Practitioner / AdvancedudMidwife Practitioner posts. This surpasses internationaludbenchmarks in the development and implementation ofudspecialist and advanced practice.udThousands of nurses and midwives have benefited directly andudindirectly every year in additional continuing educationudactivities promoted and funded by the National Council –udover 50,000 since its foundation.udThe capacity for research generation and utilisation withinudnursing and midwifery has been promoted and strengthenedudthrough the work of a joint appointment with the HealthudResearch Board.